Chromebook not charging - How To Fix (9 Tips & Tricks!)

The Chromebooks of today are both powerful and resilient. It is very rare to run into a battery issue with one, but sometimes it happens. So what can you do when your Chromebook is not charging? How can you fix a Chromebook that won’t charge?

Here are 9 tips and tricks to fix a Chromebook with a charging problem. We know it is important for you to get your device back up and running.

Chromebook not charging – How To Fix (9 TIPS)

chromebook not charging

1. Check the wall adapter for damage

The Chromebook wall adapters are large, rectangular adapters that have the charging cord coming out one end, with an extra layer of insulation at the base of the wire. Then you have the prongs and the casing. Check all of these components methodically.

Check the prongs first. Look at them carefully. You are inspecting for cracks, bends, or any type of foreign materials stuck onto them.
Check over the insulation and the cord where it enters the adapter. Again, look for holes, bends, cracks, or creases.
Now check the overall casing and make sure there are no broken pieces, cracks, or punctures.

2. Run an AC Adapter charge verification

Chromebooks come with a neat feature that allows you to check whether or not the AC adapter is sending current to your computer.

Ensure the wall adapter is plugged in and that the working charging cord is plugged into your Chromebook’s charging port securely.

Turn the Chromebook on.
Press Ctrl+Alt+T simultaneously. This should open Crosh.
Now type “battery_test 1” and hit the “Enter” key.

If your AC adapter is working, even if not indicated elsewhere, a message saying “Battery is charging” will appear. If it does not, then the AC adapter is not providing current at all. The message would show up even for the slightest current.

3. Check the charging cord for damage

A damaged charging cord can cause your Chromebook to have trouble charging. It can also be a fire and electrocution hazard. It is very important to check over your charging cord on a regular basis.

Start at the base of the cord where it connects to the AC adapter. Check the base for any breaks, bends, dents, or exposed wire.
Follow the cord up, checking every inch for damage. Again, you are looking for cuts, holes, bends, dents, or exposed wire.
Finally, check the C-type USB connector. Ensure it is not damaged, bent dented or otherwise abnormal.
If the cord is not damaged in any way, it is time to move on to the hardware of the Chromebook itself.

4. Check the charging port on the Chromebook for damage or debris

If the AC adapter and the connected cord are damage-free and in good working order, you can move on to checking the charging port for damage or debris.

Use a bright light, such as a penlight, to look inside the charging port.
First, look for damage. Scratches, dents, melted pieces or broken components.
If that looks fine, check for debris. Pet hair, dust, and lint are all examples of the types of debris you could typically find.
If you see larger foreign objects, you can remove them with a toothpick.
If all you see is some dust, using compressed air may fix your issue.
Stick the straw into the charging port and push the trigger. The air will blow out any hair or dust that may be stuck.
Once clean, try to plug the charger back in.

5. Check your outlet for power and security

Sometimes the most obvious solution is the right solution. In this case, maybe your base power source is not working properly. It is important to ensure a properly working power supply in order to charge any device.

You can try to plug another device into the outlet. If it charges and works, then the outlet is working.
You could also be proactive and simply move the Chromebook to another outlet.
Find an outlet you know is working for sure.
Make sure it is tight and shows no damage.
Plug the AC adapter into the outlet FIRST.
Now plug the charger into the Chromebooks charging point.

6. Check for LED malfunction

When you plug your Chromebook in the LED light should light up to indicate charging. The light should be an amber color.

If you do not see the light turn on, wait a few moments and look again. There is a possibility that the Chromebook is so dead that no lights will work.

Wait 30 minutes and check the LED light again. If it is now amber, your Chromebook is charging. If the bottom of the Chromebook is heating up but the light is not on, unplug the Chromebook for safety.

7. Restart the Chromebook

Sometimes the easiest answer is to turn something off and back on again. This will shut the whole system down, along with the hardware, and allow it to rest for a moment.

Go to the bottom right corner and tap the menu.
Click on the “Power” icon.
Turn the Chromebook off, and leave it unplugged.
After a few minutes, turn the Chromebook back on.
Plug the charging cord back in.
Check to see if the Chromebook is now charging.

8. Hard reset the Chromebook

Chromebooks have made it easy to perform a hard reset, otherwise known as an Embedded Controller Reset. Hard resets often reset all settings, both software, and hardware.

Press down both the “Power” button and the “Refresh” button simultaneously. Release after 5 seconds.
The Chromebook should now reboot itself and turn back on.
If the Chromebook does not turn back on at this point, it may be time to contact your Chromebooks manufacturer.

9. Contact the manufacturer

Chromebooks are manufactured by a variety of tech companies. Each company has its own warranty and repair policies. Each one can be contacted by both phone number and website.

You can find all of the contact information for various companies on the web at